Calling all appraisers.. I've been reading a bit esp the newbie forum and there's a LOT of talk about not getting into the appraiser career. Granted it makes sense that someone MAY say this because they want to reduce competition, the points that are being brought up are still valid. The job also sounds very unstable in terms of being future-proof and it's projected to grow slower than average at 8%. So I will be honest, I don't think I would have considered going into the appraiser career field if I didn't know anyone personally who could mentor me and give me the straight truth.
However, working for the government is different no matter what the position. The government offers a lot of things that I would only dream of. Steady work, low pressure and low stress, stability (hard to get fired from government but lay offs are possible), 40 hr work week, a clear cut schedule of pay and pay schedule, great benefits, great vacation days. Theses positive attributes of a government job seem to offset the negative things that are normally said about the appraiser job (risk, lower pay than before with higher stress, no respect, etc.)
I am seriously considering this position. I have the written test coming up and then if I pass that, the interview is weighted at 100%. If I get selected for the trainee class of 20-30 people, I would start at as a trainee. 1 year after, I would get certified and they will bump me up to appraiser pay schedule. Then from there, I guess you work and the two options of promotions would be Appraisal Specialist (appraising oil/gas mineries, military equipment, aircrafts, etc.) and/or becoming a supervisor. But as a trainee, you start appraising Residential real estate all over the county.
This sounds like my dream job to be honest. Being outdoors and driving around, my dream job. Couple that with stability and the benefits of a government job, I want it more than any other job. BUT.. I am very worried about what would happen if I got fired, laid off, quit, had to move, etc. and somehow needed to get another job. I am worried that after 10 years of experience all I will be able to do is appraising work and I'll be pigeonholed into it. And working for a private company as an appraiser sounds like it's all but disappearing and becoming very difficult.
I hear the same thing about insurance claims adjusters. The pay is actually very decent and it sounds like a job I would love to do (driving around, meeting with people, different case, valuation and mental work, etc.) but every claims adjuster posting on the forums with more than 10 years of experience tell you to get out because once you do it, you can't do anything else. And companies are cutting back, making claims adjusters' lives very hard with cutting expenses, no company car or reimbursements, high stress from both parties, etc.
For comparison, I am applying to entry-level accounting and sales jobs. I have a degree in Economics and Accounting. I am in my mid 20s.
I am interviewing for other jobs that start at the same pay, have decent benefits. Like a staff accountant position or a inside sales position. but they don't offer the stability and benefits that government does. And the nature of the work doesn't involve driving around and being outside, which is what I really want.
However, working for the government is different no matter what the position. The government offers a lot of things that I would only dream of. Steady work, low pressure and low stress, stability (hard to get fired from government but lay offs are possible), 40 hr work week, a clear cut schedule of pay and pay schedule, great benefits, great vacation days. Theses positive attributes of a government job seem to offset the negative things that are normally said about the appraiser job (risk, lower pay than before with higher stress, no respect, etc.)
I am seriously considering this position. I have the written test coming up and then if I pass that, the interview is weighted at 100%. If I get selected for the trainee class of 20-30 people, I would start at as a trainee. 1 year after, I would get certified and they will bump me up to appraiser pay schedule. Then from there, I guess you work and the two options of promotions would be Appraisal Specialist (appraising oil/gas mineries, military equipment, aircrafts, etc.) and/or becoming a supervisor. But as a trainee, you start appraising Residential real estate all over the county.
This sounds like my dream job to be honest. Being outdoors and driving around, my dream job. Couple that with stability and the benefits of a government job, I want it more than any other job. BUT.. I am very worried about what would happen if I got fired, laid off, quit, had to move, etc. and somehow needed to get another job. I am worried that after 10 years of experience all I will be able to do is appraising work and I'll be pigeonholed into it. And working for a private company as an appraiser sounds like it's all but disappearing and becoming very difficult.
I hear the same thing about insurance claims adjusters. The pay is actually very decent and it sounds like a job I would love to do (driving around, meeting with people, different case, valuation and mental work, etc.) but every claims adjuster posting on the forums with more than 10 years of experience tell you to get out because once you do it, you can't do anything else. And companies are cutting back, making claims adjusters' lives very hard with cutting expenses, no company car or reimbursements, high stress from both parties, etc.
For comparison, I am applying to entry-level accounting and sales jobs. I have a degree in Economics and Accounting. I am in my mid 20s.
I am interviewing for other jobs that start at the same pay, have decent benefits. Like a staff accountant position or a inside sales position. but they don't offer the stability and benefits that government does. And the nature of the work doesn't involve driving around and being outside, which is what I really want.
